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Taking Up an Offense
8.19.7
Psalms 133
As a church, we must keep unity – that since of
oneness, family.
We aren’t a bunch of robots.
All different with different
personalities.
Must be mature enough to overlook
differences.
--- most differences are
PERSONAL PEREFFERECES.
We can’t do it we become like a cult….
When a church losses it’s unity it renders
itself powerless.
Church splits, church mutilations,
hurt feelings…..
But when people,Christians, churches stay in
unity – God commands there be a blessing.
Shared this Wednesday night and want to share it
with everyone now.
John 16: 13 But
when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will
guide you into all truth. He will not speak on
his own; he will speak only what he hears, and
he will tell you what is yet to come.
2 Corinthians
2:11
– for we are not unaware of the devil’s schemes
I believe there are a few things the enemy wants
to come and do.
1 – is have us bring things in to our homes that
are cursed.
---- I have talked about this one
several times.
2nd he is wanting to cause offense.
-
to have us become offended at someone else.
-
To change the way we feel about a person.
-
To see them in a negative light
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To no longer consider them as a “fellow worker”
-
To see them as incompetent
Throughout the New Testament we are told 2
things:
Don’t take up an offense
Don’t be the reason for someone to be
offended.
Offense – usually we get our feelings hurt.
--- we don’t like how someone has
handled something
--- we felt ---FELT --- our opinion
was some how belittled.
Or we are the cause of it in someone
else’s life.
This morning I want to focus on my goal – make
it your goal – not someone else’s – to not be
offended.
We are warned about being the reason someone
else is offended and striving to not be the
cause.
Offense – means a stumbling block.
To hinder the way. To
put a big rock in the middle of your path.
So when we are offended what happens.
-
it’s like a big road block in our own Christian
life.
It becomes a spiritual hindrance.
It becomes difficult to see ...... when God speaks to us
because when He does we think how that applies
to someone else.
But this is the decay of our spiritual life.
We no longer look to improve ourselves…….
Then the critical attitude
comes out.
We would all admit to not being perfect – but
would hold others up to a perfect standard.
----- whether in motives, actions or how they
talk to you…
Unity is essential for any group to move
forward.
Armies, companies, business, fast food
restaurants,
--- all need to work together to be
effective.
When there isn’t unity you can start to see the
gripping going on.
When offended we no longer want to
cover some else’s back.
Or their nakedness.
Ex – ole so and so
they were real rude to me today…
Covering –
they were probably busy.
Not covering – you
know they are always rude to me too….
Not talking about what to do for those who are
offensive.
Talking about how handle it
Not allowing resentment to build up in
us.
See an offense is rooted in
unforgiveness.
Must be quick to forgive.
I believe there are going to be a lot of
opportunity for us to be offended in days to
come…..
3 things to help us live the Biblical model of
putting others a head of us…
1.
Remember offense is rooted in unforgiveness.
They may or maynot know what they did….. it doesn’t matter.
2.
Don’t create a motive for people.
If we are going to make a mistake ….do it on the side of
being too gracious and too merciful.
Error on the side of grace and mercy.
3.
Remember we are all servants of Christ.
--- Paul’s idea of a servant isn’t a like a maid or butler.
It’s a slave.
We are servants/slaves.
Eventually we are all going to be treated like a
servant. Our response in the moment will show
the depth of our true servant hood.
Forgiveness and being treated like a servant.
When must accept them – we become more like Jesus because we
get to know a little bit of how He felt when it
happened to Him.
Is there someone you need to forgive?
An offense is a road block on your spiritual
path. It can drain the life out of you if you
don’t take quick action.
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